Delivery device.



PATENTED MAR. 6, 1986.

J. GREGORY.

DELIVERY DEVICE.

APPLIOATIUR 211.21) In 11. 1905.

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DELIVERY DEVICE.

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PATENTED MAR. 6, 1906 J. GREGORY DELIVERY nnvwn.

APPLIUATIOHPILED HAY 11. 1905.

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DELIVERY DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Iatented March 6, 19u6.

Application filed May 11, 1905. Serial No. 260,181.

To (all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JULIUs Gnnoonr, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Weehawken, State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Delivery Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in delivery devices; and

the object of my invention is to produce a device whereby all the articles contained therein can be exhibited by being brou ht successively into a position from which t ey can be seen, so that a person can choose the articles which he desires and by the operation of the machine obtain the article so chosen.

I have shown my invention as adapted for use in connection with the delivery of postal cards, and in this form a series of postal cards may be placed in the device and brought successively into view to enable the card desired to be chosen, and then u on the operation of the machine the card which is in view may be delivered from the machine.

My invention consists of means for supporting a plurality of articles to be delivered, means for bringing the articles successivel into view, and means for delivering the 8.111 cle which is exposed.

My invention also consists in means whereby any one of a series of articles may be delivered by the operation of the machine in any order desired.

My invention also consists 1n certain details of construction and combination of arts, the preferred form of which will be First described in connection with the accompanying draw' 3, wherein the same part is designated by t e same reference-numeral wherever it occurs. 7 V

Figure 1 is a front view of a device made in accordance with my invention, showin the operating mechanism in perspective an the casin in section. Fi 2 is a side elevation of a evice, showing t e operating mechanism inpers ective and the casing 1n section. Fig. 3 1s a etail side view, partly in section, showing the card-delivery mechanism in normal osition. Fig. .4 is a similar view showing, owever, the arts as they appear during the o eration of t e device.

1 esignate's a casi in which the delive I mechanism is preferab y mounted, and pre erably this casing is provided with a transparent portion 2, through which the articles adapted to be delivered may be viewed.

3 is a side frame upon which the operating mechanism is supported, and 4 is a second frame, which supports one end of the articlecarr ing mechanism. This article-delivery mec anism in the form of invention shown consists of a shaft 5, which is journaled in bearings formed in the side frames 3 and 4. One end of this shaft extends through the side of the casing 1 and is provided with an operating-handle 6.

7 designates a drum fastened on the shaft and adapted to support the cards or other articles to be delivered by the machine. In the form of invention shown this drum is provided with the heads 8, and just within the heads are located the rings 9, which are provided with a series of holes extending around the same. The holes and rings 9 are located in alinement with each other, and in these holes are loosely mounted a series of wires 10, and each wire is provided with a number of clips all adapted to engage the edge of the card and support the same. It wil be seen from the drawings that the cards extend out from the drum, being held by the clips, and that upon the rotation of the drum they may be brought successively up into an upright position, and as soon as they have passed this position they will fall down successively,

revealing the card immediately behind,

whereby each card in succession will be exposed by the card in front thereof falling.

The transparent portion 2 of the casing is so situated in relation to the card-support1ng means that the cards will stand exposed in a position to be seen through the transparent portion, as clearly indicated in Fig. 2.

In order to prevent the backward rotation of the drum and to cause the cards to be properly positioned to be delivered, I provide a ratchet-wheel 12, through which the shaft 5 loosely asses. The ratchetwheel is securely hel in position by means of the screw 13, passing through the side frame 3. 14 is an arm fastened on the shaft 5 and carrying a number of pawls 15, which are adapted to enga e the position of the ratchet 12. It will thus e seen that as the shaft and drum are rotated by the handle 6 the pawls will be caused to travel around the ratchet-wheel and the backward rotation of the drum prevented. 7

By the mechanism just described it will be seen that I have rovided a means whereby postal cards or 0t er articles may be brought around successively into position and exhibited. It is to be of course understood that many dill'erent mechanisms might be used for accomplishing this result.

In order to deliver any desired article or card, I provide means which preferably are located over the holding means, which means are adapted to remove any article from the holding means, and preferably this means is adapted to remove an article which is exposed to view.

In the form of invention shown the means for removing the desired article from the hold.- ing means consists of a gripper mechanism which-is located over the fore portion of the top of the drum in position to enga e the exosed card, these grip ers being ar apted to lie moved toward an away from the drum and to close when adjacent to the drum and to open when they have moved away therefrom. In the form of my invention illustrated this grip er mechanism is constructed as follows: 16 esignate a rod which is guided in bearing 17 on the side frame 3 and in which the rod is adapted to slide vertically. 18 is a gripper-bar provided at one end with a pro- 1ect10n 19 at right angles thereto, the outer end of the projection being secured to the upward end of the rod 16. The bar 18 is provided withthe outwardly-projecting 'aws 20, which form the stationary jaws of t e gripers. 21 is the projection located at the end of the bar 18 opposite that at which the projection 19 is located, and 22 is a bar journaled in bearings formed in the projections 19 and 21. This bar 22 carries the gri per-jaws 23, which are adapted to coact wit the jaws 20 in the removal of the card. The movable jaw 23 is shown as being provided with a pin .24, which enables the grippers to positively engage the card or other article to be delivered. In the construction shown the bars 18 and 22 extend at an angle to each other, as is best shown in Figs. 3 and 4E, and in the angle thus formed is placed a spring 25, which is secured to the side of the bar 18 by means of the bolt 33 passing through one end of the spring and the bar 18. The free end of the spring rests against the side of the bar22, consequently tending to force the bars apart and the griper-jaws to ether. 26 is an arm extending ack from t e pivoted bar 22, and 27 is an adjustable stop carried by the side frame 3, with which the end of the arm 26 is adapted to engage when the parts are in their normal or raise position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, this stop acting when the parts are in this position to hold the grippers open against the spring 25. 28 is a cam which is pivoted at 30 to the bar 22, and 31 is a spring which holds the cam in its normal position against the edge of the bar, as shown in Fig. 3. 29 is a plate with which the cam is adapted to coact and which is mounted on the frame 3 in position to be struck by the cam when gri pers are reciprocated. The cam 28 isforme with an an ular end, as shown, which contacts with the plate 29, and this angle is so formed that when once the cam has come in contact with the face of the plate 29 the angular edge of the cam will cause the cam to act as a pawl and prevent the gripper mechanism returning to its normal position until after the gripper has been given its full throw, which carrics the edge of the cam below the plate 29. This cam operates to hold the grippers open after the arm 26 leaves the stop 27, and the grippers are held open until the cam has passed the lower end of the plate 29, when the cam passing off the plate will permit the spring 25 to close the grippers. Upon the return movement of the grippers they will remain closed until the arm 26 strikes the stop 27 and o ens them. By pivoting the cam as describe the spring will allow the same to yield during this return movement and prevent the opening of the ri pers until they have nearly completed t eir return movement and the arm 26 come in contact with the stop 27. 61 is an arm formed of wire, which carries at its lower end a pointer 32. This arm is secured to the bar 18 by means of the bolt 33, which also, as it will be remembered, secured the s ring 25 to the arm. This arm extends somew at in front of the stationary grippers 20 and holds the pointer 32in the path of the upper edges of the cards, so as to hold the card which is in exposed position upright in order that it may be viewed. This arm also acts to guide the card between the gripper-jaws when the delivery mechanism is operated. 34 is a depending rod, which extends through the opening in the side frame 3 and guides the gripper-bar in its reciprocation and maintains the grippers in proper alinement. 35 is a s ring, one end of which is connected to the si e frame 3 and the other end to the rod 16 to hold the grippers in their raised position and also to return the same after they have been depressed and depressing mechanism released. 36 is a rubber cushion which is interposed between the adjustable stop 37 and the lower side of the lug 17 in order to cushion the grippers on their return movement under the action of the spring 25. In order to actuate this mechanism, any suitable means may be employed, and for the sake of illustration I have shown an actuating mechanism which consists'of a plate 38, provided with a rearwardly-projecting lug 39, through which the rod 16 asses. The plate is secured to .the rod by t e screws 40, which pass through the rod, and the rod is thus caused to move with the plate. 41 desnates a lu which extends outwardly from t e face of t e plate 38, and 42 desi nates a switch, which is pivoted at 43 to the plate and is provided with a toe 44, adapted to rest against the side of the In 41. This switch is provided at its lower en below the ivot 43 with an end 45, which comes to an e ge. 46

is an arm pivoted at 47' and provided with a V-notch 48, in which the end 45 is adapted to rest. 49 is a spring adapted to hold the V 48 in engagement with the end 45. 50 is a lever fastened on the shaft 51, jonrnaled in the side frame 3, and at its free end the lever carries the projecting pin 52, which is adapted to engage the toe 44 when the lever is swung down. The shaft 52 is preferably extended outside the casing and at its end is provided with an operatin -lover 53.

in the operation of the l orm of the invention shown and described the clips on the drum are tilled with cards or other articles which are to be delivered. \Vhcn it is desired to obtain a card from the machine, the drum is rotated by means of the handle 6, which causes the cards to pass successively under the pointer :52, the pointer retaining each card in an upright position until it has sprung sufliciently for its edge to ass under the ointer. When the card w ich is desired as been brought into position under the pointer, the lever 53 is pressed down. This causes the lever 50 to swing down, carrying the pin 52 into engagement with the toe 44, and upon further movement of the lever the grip crs are drawn down. The pin 52 passes off t e toe of the plate 42 and onto the top of the lug 41, and this movement carries the grippers down until they stand on each side of the card and are in position to grip the card as soon as the cam has passed the face of the plate This occurs just hei'ore the pin 52 passes off the edge of the lug 41. As soon as the cam 28 has passed the plate 29 the spring L5 operates the grippers to engage the card. As soon as the pin passes oil the end of the lug, which, as before stated, is just after the card is engaged, the spring 35 operates to return the grippers to their normal position, the grippers during their upward movement remaining closed, as before described, until the arm 36 comes in contact with the arm 2?, which causes the grippers to open and drop the card, which mav be allowed to fall upon the plate 55, located in position to receive the card and extending through the casing in order to deliver the card.

W'hilej have shown and described what I believe to be the preferred form of my inven tion, I desire to have it understood that I am not to be limited to the construction herein shown and described, as many changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a deliverv mechanism, the combination with means For holding a plurality of articles independently of each other, means for bringing any of the articles into an exposed position, and means for removing from the iolding means the article exposed.

2. In a deliver r mechanism, the combination with means or holding a plurality of ar ticles independently of each other, means for moving the articles so as to bring them successively into an exposed position to ermit of the selection of any one of the artic es and means for delivering the selected article.

3. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with means for holding a plurality of articles independently of each other, of means for engaging the articles and removing them from the holding means, and means for moving any of the articles carried hy tlie holding means into position to be taken by the rernmdng means, the article which is in position to be removed being exposed to view.

4, e In a delivery mechanism, the combination with means for holding a plurality of articles independently of each other, of grippers, means for operating the grippers, and means for bringing any of the articles to be delivered into position to be taken by the grippers.

5. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with an endless carrier, of means i or supporting a series of articles on the carrier inde pendently of each other, means adapted to engage the articles and means for operating the engaging means whereby they may be caused to engage any desired article carried by the carrier.

6. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with means for supporting a series of articles independently of each other on the carrier, grip are, means for operating the grippers, ant means whereby the grippers may be caused to take any desired article carried by the carrier.

1? In a delivery mechanism, the combination with a rotatable drum, of means for supporting a series of articles on the drum independently of each other, grippers, means for operating the grip )ers, and means whereby t e grippers may he caused to take any desired article carried by the ClI'HHL 8. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with an endless carrier, of means for supporting a series or articles on the carrier independently of each other, means for moving the carrier, grippers adapted to be moved toward and away from the carrier, means for operating the grippers and means whereby the "rippers may be caused to take any desired article carried by the carrier.

9. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with a drum, of means for supporting a series of. articles on the drum inde endently of each other, grip ers adapted to e moved toward and away i l-om the drum, means for operating the gripper and means whereby t e 'ppers may be caused to take any dosire article carried by the drum.

10. In a deliverv mechanism, the combination with a carrier, of a plurality of clips pivotally mounted in the carrier and adapted to support a plurality of articles, means for l operating the carrier to bring the articles carried by the clips successively to view, and means for retrieving from the clips the article which is exposed to view.

11. In a delivery mechanism, the combi nation with a drum provided with a plurality of clips adapted to hold dill'erent articles, means for bringing the articles successively into view and means whereby the article exposed to view may be removed.

12. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with a drum ol a plurality of rods arranged eircumferentially around the drum, clips mounted on the rods adapted to support articles to be delivered, means for rotatmg the drum to bring the articles successively into view and means adapted to deliver the exposed article.

13. In a delivery mechanisn'i, the combi nation with means for holding a )lurality of articles independently of each otier, means whereby any one of the articles may be brought to a predetermined position, and a gripper mechanism adapted to engage the article which is in the predetermined position.

14. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with means for holding a plurality of articles and means whereby any one of the articles may be brought to a predetermined position, of a gripper mechanism adapted to engage the article which is in a predetermined position and means carried by the grippers for supporting the article in its predetermined position and guiding the same into the grippers.

15. A gripper mechanism comprising a bar carrying a gripper-j aw, a second bar pivoted to the first bar and carrying the other aw, a spring tending to press the bars apart and the jaws together, an arm carried, by the pivoted bar, a stationary stop with which the arm is adapted to contact when the gripper is in its normal position, a cam carried by the pivoted bar and adapted to contact with a fixed part, when the gripper is moved to hold the gripper open during part of its movement and means ior reeipromtting the gripper.

16. A gripper comprising a bar carrying the iixed gripper-jaws, a second bar pivoted to the first bar carrying the movable jaws, a spring normally tending to force the jaws together, a cam carried by the movable jaw and adapted to contact with a fixed plate to hold the jaws open against the action of the spring, i. aid cam being pointed to prevent the return of during their operating movement while the cam is in contact with the cam-plate.

Signed by me at New York city, county and State of New York, this 8th day of May, l 9H5.

JULIUS GREGORY.

Witnesses JAcoB I. BERGEN, Framers M. PnELPs. 

